MEETING OF September 14th, 2007

Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day

President Pam Jones rang the bell and
called the meeting to order. Rafael Cartagena led
the pledge of allegiance and there was a moment of silence
for world peace. Henry’s thought
for the day was a wish that national elections were being
held this November since he’s already
very tired of it all (presumably, the blah-blah-blahs
of the folks called politicians).

Rotarians with Guests

Pam Jones’ guests were April
Jorden and also Enos Johnson of the Richmond Police
Department.

Sid Chauvin very willingly had his
wife join him for lunch.

Rafael Cartagena also had a guest
but I missed the name.

Sunshine Report

David K had a “no-calls” Sunshine
Report, although he noted that Elof Granberg and Charlie
Wong were not with us at today’s meeting.
While not definitive, reports are that Jim Beaver is
on a slow mend.

Announcements

Asked by Pam to provide comments
on recent violence in Richmond, Officer Johnson noted
10 shootings in the last several days, including three
homicides. He commented that there are indications
of retaliatory actions being taken by bad groups from
North Richmond going into South and Central Richmond
areas, and vice versa. Officer Johnson also talked
about the recent incident of a police car exiting the
new temporary police facility and having its rear window
shatter, possibly from some sort of projectile. There’s
been no confirmation of a gunshot or other specific
cause of the broken glass.

Tom Waller briefly added to Officer
Johnson’s remarks that at a recent community
group meeting, Police Chief Magnus said there are still
things the City of Richmond can do to be more effective
n dealing with gang activity. While specifics were
not elaborated upon, the implication was there’s
need for greater political will (for example, pursuing
prosecutions with less than perfect evidence and witnesses).

Herb Cole encouraged others to consider
joining the January 16-20 trip to Monterrey, Mexico,
to follow through on good Rotary work being done there,
including wheel chair distribution. He also highlighted
the trip to Nigeria in mid-November for, among other
things, national immunizations.

It was noted by Glenn Daggs and
others that the District Governor’s newsletter
was complimentary about Richmond Rotary, including Liliane
Koziol’s Madagascar project as well
as the Club’s focused support of Peres School.

Hank Covell gave a last-minute plug
for the 51st (wrongly reported last week as the 50th)
YMCA pancake breakfast at Hilltop YMCA on Saturday,
September 15.

Hank also announced Richmond Rotary
night at the Masquers Theater, preceded by dinner at
the Hotel Mac, on Thursday, September 20. Herb
Cole provided historical context, noting that
this has been a 20-year tradition at Richmond Rotary,
Hank having been a big booster for 17 of those years.

And let no one forget that October 2 at the Hotel
Mac is the Special Winemaker Dinner featuring superb
culinary delights and Sonoma County wines of the Gallo
family, all in honor of the charitable auction of the
you-know-which bottle of venerable liquid that can
not (shall not) be consumed.

Rich Brandes reported that volunteers
are still needed for Richmond Rotary’s boat-boarding
and snack-sales activities at the Richmond Home Front
Festival on September 29-30.

Rafael Madrigal urged everyone to
send in payment for Rotary Foundation raffle tickets.
Checks should be made payable to Rotary District 5160.
Want more tickets? Contact Rafael.

Recognitions

Margaret Morkowski, though self-described
as turning bright red, once again strode confidently
to the podium to handle recognitions. There were two
birthdays announced. Bob Dabney’s time
in the barrel will have to await his attendance at a
future meeting. David K, having been
born on 9/11 (several years ago), has in recent years
celebrated his birthday in August during a fishing trip.
This year, his designated day was split, half fishing
and half drinking. He said both halves were quite enjoyable!
Asked about a past ideal birthday, David recounted one
8-9 years ago when he caught a 27-inch Halibut, for which
he won $115 in some kind of contest.

Happy and Sad Dollars

David Brown had happy $$ for the
Jewish New Year and wished everyone peace and contentment.

Nick Despota put forth happy $$
for the Home Front Festival and its emphasis on the
positive aspects of the Richmond community. Our web
guru also reminded us that Home Front tickets can
be purchased online at www.homefrontfestival.com.

Jim light-as-a-feather-on-his-feet Young presented
happy dollars for the fun that he and his wife have
had in providing dance lessons for rusty shufflers
looking to have a really good time at the USO dance
at the Ford Building on Saturday night of Home Front
Festival weekend.

David K, still reminiscing about
the half-day drinking, offered happy $$ to encourage
others to promote the SS Red Oak Victory doing what
the Jeremiah O’Brian apparently did recently:
they hosted over 80 different beer vendors on board
during a kind of malt beverage lovers’ fest.
I’m thinking consumption of 80 beers might take
longer than half a day.

Raffle Results

THE PROGRAM

Orlando Ramos, Principal of Richmond High School

Jim Young introduced Orlando Ramos,
now in his second year as principal of Richmond High
School (RHS), which has an enrollment of about 1800 students
in grades 9-12.

With more than a hint of bravado, this straight-talking
principal appears to be on a no-nonsense mission to take
the culture and educational performance of RHS to higher
levels. For example, he’s cleaned up school graffiti
and has watched students start to self-police the improved
look and feel of the place.

Although he didn’t put it this way in the presentation,
I’ve heard Orlando say before that “education
can save lives”. He quickly points out that he’s
a living example. As an angry young Puerto Rican in New
York City, Orlando would apparently do crazy things,
anything to get attention. He was in special education,
then dropped out of school and was homeless for a while,
living out of an old car. With the love of a tough-as-nails
mother and others, he got back on his feet and vowed
to try and help young people avoid his mistakes.

With his gritty street savvy, Orlando knows about gangs
but wants to help gang leaders lead in new ways. He knows
that all young people are, at some level, looking for
love, respect, and honor. He promotes alternative ways
of conflict resolution.

He urges caution in comparing RHS with schools in other
less challenged communities. For example, about 30-40%
of RHS enrollment changes during the year due to so-called “mobile
students” who are with families who move in search
of work and affordable housing. Also, about 60-70% of
RHS students are English language learners. Among various
solutions to this problem, Orlando has expanded the computer
lab with language-learning software.

With a positive outlook, Orlando points to good progress
on several fronts. More students are now passing the
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) than before.
He’s pleased with scholastic improvements in areas
like calculus as well as greater success in Spanish Literature
classes at the Advanced Placement/College level.

Orlando’s a change agent and we all know change
doesn’t necessarily happen easily. He strives to
challenge ineffective beliefs and practices among faculty
and students in ways that are “respectful, with
support” and to “confront mediocrity on the
spot.”

There’s something refreshing and seemingly authentic
about Orlando Ramos, a feeling that he tries to walk
the talk as well as talk it. We wish him well.

- Rotating Scribe, Tom Waller

Upcoming Programs

September 28
Virginia Squier, of Speakeasy, a firm that presents communication
seminars, will tell us how to speak so others will listen.

October 5
Our meeting will take place at La Strada. Program to
be announced.

October 12
E. J. Shalaby talks about special districts, why they
exist at all in a world of cities and counties.

Have a suggestion for a speaker? Please pass along
the name and contact information to Jim Young.

Important Events

September 20
Masquers Dinner Theatre, Play: Shadow Box

October 2
How did a 79 cent bottle of Muscatel manage to raise
over $6,000 by being passed around among Richmond
Rotarians? Help celebrate this 31 year old marvel
at the Gallo Wine Dinner, Hotel Mac.